What I really couldn't imagine, though, was that the consequences were going to be my getting arrested and sent to jail. It was very real to me all of a sudden, standing there at the side of my car in the light of the flashers, and I felt weak with the realization.

"Put your hands on top of the vehicle," he instructed and I cringed, not believing this could be happening. I pressed my hands to the cool surface, looking off through the field, seeing everything through prisms. I was glad for the support of the car against me, because I was feeling faint. "Spread your feet apart, ma'am."

I looked over my shoulder at him, incredulous. He couldn't be serious!

He raised his eyebrows and nodded once. "Ma'am, spread your legs."

Turning my face away, I slowly parted my thighs, my heart thundering in my chest, my cheeks flushed red. I decided to try one more time.

"You don't understand." I heard the tremble in my own voice, and my feeble attempt to control it. "There's a woman in labor and I have to be at her birth. Can't you please just let me go?"

I said the words to the trees rustling in the breeze, listening behind me for any response from him. It was quiet for a moment.

"Are you the only one who can deliver this baby?"

I sighed. "No," I admitted. "I'm the apprentice. The primary midwife is on her way, but she has longer to drive, and I'm worried she won't get there in time."

"But you aren't the only person responsible for this woman and her baby?"

I closed my eyes, shaking my head, whatever hope I'd been hanging onto fading. "No, sir-but she's counting on me to be there. This is my job. I need to go. You don't understand!"

"I understand your position," he said, not unkindly. I felt him moving behind me, not touching me, but the presence of his big body behind mine was nearly palpable. "But I need you to understand mine. Your license has been suspended-you can't drive."